Organic Gardening Info from Peaceful Valley

I’m setting up an irrigation system using the poly tubing and emitters for my self watering deck planters.  The emitters will drip directly into the planter  base.  The deck is covered so I have to supply all water needs.  I want a simple system but most important a reliable one as I’ll be leaving them to their own devices for almost a month.  

I know Gardena have a good reputation, but the models shown look like much more than I need; however, one of the Gilmour models would be false economy if they aren’t reliable.

Appreciate advice.

I just pulled a number of volunteer garlic and I noticed small bulblets growing outside/under the larger cloves. Can I propagate from these?

Question:

I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico at 7000 feet altitude, about 13″ natural rainfall a year. I do all my organic vegetable gardening in raised boxes because of gophers. We have fairly mild winters, some snow but usually not heavy. I am wondering what garlics you would recommend for my climate, I would like to get a few different ones to try. Do you have an article on picking the right garlics for your climate/conditions or doesn’t it really matter?
Thanks!

Answer:

Generally, hardnecks are better for variable climates, softnecks are better for mild climates (like Southern California).  Check out this link from the University of New Mexico for more info.  I’d also suggest you contact the Master Gardeners in your area for more local advice as far as which specific varieties to choose.

Hope that helps and thank you for growing organically!

Question from a PVFS customer sent by email and an answer from our staff.

Question:

I heard of liquid fish and other kinds of plant aids a few days ago and would appreciate your advice. What would you recommend for Fescue grasses, Bermuda grasses , Kentucky Bluegrass, and a variety of clovers grasses? And approximately how much should be applied to an acre? What would be approximate cost?

Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

Answer:

Yes, liquid fish is great for grasses as well as other plants! The rate is 10-20 gal/acre, the cost is $49.99 per 5 Gal, $219.00 per 55 Gallon drum (plus shipping and tax). Another excellent liquid to consider is Aerated Compost Tea. We sell it at here in Grass Valley, CA to local customers and the response has been tremendous for lawns, ornamentals, veggies, etc. You might check around your area for it. For ordering products for producing Compost tea click here.

Thanks you for growing organically!

This is a recent question we received at PVFS via email, the reply to this very interesting question is included.

Question:

Do you know anywhere I could order fleas?

Really, this is not a joke. I have some nasty people camping next door and I’d like to drive them away!

Answer:

I’m sorry, we do not carry fleas, nor do we know where you can order them! The insects we deal with are intended to help eliminate pest problems, not promote pest infestations. Perhaps there are some stray cats in your neighborhood…?

Contributed by Bill Bird, Sacramento gardener & blogger (http://sacramentogardening.blogspot.com).

I’ll admit it. I love getting compliments about my tomato starter plants. I love getting questions such as “how did you do that?” It’s a lot of fun to not only learn from other people, but also share that knowledge with others.

Done correctly, growing vegetable or tomato plants from seed can be a very rewarding experience. Like anything, it does take work and some dedication, but when the payoff is a vine-ripened tomato in the summer, it’s worth it.

The first time I tried growing tomato plants from seed came in 2005 — and I’ll admit it — I had a great deal of “beginner’s luck.” I’m still not sure what I did, but fate smiled upon me that year when I produced the most absolutely gorgeous starter plants I’ve ever seen. Farmer Fred Hoffman even went so far as to proclaim them as “nursery quality stuff,” and I’ll admit, I was pretty darn proud of my accomplishment.

But, upon trying that same feat next year, I struck out. Similar disappointments followed. For whatever reason, I simply could not produce the same kind of plants that I had produced in my very first year of growing tomato plants from seed.

Until now, that is.

I’m not really sure, again, what I’m doing right this year but I’ve been rewarded with starter plants that are of “nursery quality” once again. Could it be the new-fangled fertlizer mix I’m using? The mix I call the “secret sauce?”

It’s not really a secret. In fact — it’s pictured to your immediate left. No it’s not the kegerator. The kegerator is what produces the “secret sauce” for me (and the wife that is Venus). Nope — the REAL “secret sauce” is what’s ON the kegerator. That is a bottle of Omega 666 — the good stuff — purchased from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply in the Nevada County hamlet of Nevada City.

I aquired this stuff completely by accident. I had intended to stop off at Eisley Nursery in Auburn, when Fred Hoffman inquired if I could buy him a bottle of Omega 666 at Peaceful Valley. And then he warned me it “wasn’t cheap.”

I had never heard of the stuff, but since I was going to be in the neighborhood anyway, I’d go ahead and buy it. The wife was in the market for blue and red potatoes anyway, and since Peaceful Valley stocked both varieties she was looking for, I figured I’d kill two birds with one potato…..ah…..stone.

Fred was right. The stuff isn’t cheap. A one gallon bottle will set you back a cool $40 — not including tax. But — at the same time — this “all organic” product intrigued me. I’d done some research before visiting Peaceful Valley, and growers just RAVED about this stuff.

I’m not one of those “all organic” growers by the way. In my book it’s “whatever works.” Products with the name “Ortho” stenciled on them do not scare me, nor do I think they “poison the environment.” I’m always willing to try something new, so I decided to give Omega 666 a tryout in the garden.

This was one of those good calls. Combined with another powdered ingredient called “Maxicrop,” all sorts of vegetables starting popping out of raised planter beds. That included potatoes, several varieties of radish seed, peas, baby bok choi, lettuce, spinach, you name it.

At that point, I decided to use a weak solution of Omega 666 on the tomato and pepper seedlings growing in a spare bedroom. I had used fish emulsion fertlizer with limited success some years earlier, so why not Omega 666?

Given a choice — what would I use? Fish Emulsion Fertilizer or Omega 666? That’s a tough call. The economical (see = CHEAP) side of me loves the $3 price for a bottle of Fish Emulsion Fertilizer. Then again, Omega 666 doesn’t leave the spare bedroom smelling like DEAD FISH either. So, I think I’ll choose the non-smelly, expensive stuff.

If this success keeps up, I will again produce tomato plant starters that are of “nursery quality.” The plants that you see here were started from seed the weekend following the Super Bowl. I started twice-weekly feedings of Omega 666 in mid-March, soon after the seedlings were transplanted from peat moss pellets into regular starter cups.

I now have starter plants so lush and large that they’re hitting the tops of my grow lights. Better yet — they have the kind of strong and healthy stems that indoor growers pray for, but rarely see.

I don’t often endorse products on this blog. And I certainly don’t accept any payments. I’d be dragged before a Senate Rules Firing Squad for doing such a thing. But I will reccommend products that I think are useful. And — for me — this “not-so-secret-sauce” packs a punch that my garden really does like.

There has been some concern surrounding the “Food Safety Modernization Act” (HR875) several blogs, and YouTube videos have been criticizing the Act as “The Death of Organic Farming” and “…making it illegal to have a backyard garden”. The criticisms site the support of large agribusiness (like Monsanto) and reason to be skeptical of the Act.

We here at Peaceful Valley received several questions and emails with links to various takes on the Act and it’s implications in the organic agriculture industry. While we are not directly involved with any legislation or political movements, the sustainability of the industry and the organic movement at large is obviously of great concern to us… and has been since 1976.

I did my own research and asked for the opinions of industry groups. All of my investigation leads me to the conclusion that The Food Safety Modernization Act contains no language that would put organic farming or gardening at risk.

Many of those who were originally very concerned about this Act have been relieved by the “Myths and Facts about The Food Modernization Act” memo released by Congresswoman DeLauro’s office (see Below).

Some have apologized for causing a “False Alarm”. I would like to say that there is no apology necessary, the uprising of concern and interest is an important element of our democracy. The flurry of questions, emails, calls and concern that we saw from our staff, vendors, customers and peers shows that we are an aware and active community that is not afraid to stand up for what we believe in. For that I would like to applaud the community at large and encourage you all to stay alert and to continue to defend what you believe in!

Links to more information on this:
Myths and Facts about The Food Safety Modernization Act
HR 875 on GovTrack.com
Summary of HR875
Restructuring the FDA
Full text of HR 875
Congresswoman Rosa Deluro (HR 875’s Sponsor) web site

Thanks and best wishes on your organic growing season!

It happens every year, the weather warms up and the impulse to plant becomes irresistible. “It’s spring! Let’s go” you say.

And lately, it seems to happen every year: a sneak attack frost in late April zaps your early garden.

The point is, every region has its traditional frost dates… and it’s always later than you expect. Ask around and confirm. Around Nevada City, people say it is around Mother’s Day (do I really have to wait that long?)… take your time, plan things right.

I can heartily recommend a little Agribon frost protection for your garden. We sell it by the roll or as “frost blankets”. It’s good to know when you get growing that you can tuck your plants in at night. Our Freshman Farmers use it as a rule, invest in it and give yourself some peace of mind. We also carry portable greenhouse type devices, like the fantastic Wall O’ Water and Solar Bells. They are essential for protecting from frost when you hear of a plunge in temperature later than you were expecting.

Now is a good time to plant cold season crops in our region, Grass Valley, CA. In our nursery you can find a good variety of things that are good to grow now: chard, mesclun mix, lettuce, mustard, things like that. Pak choy. Good stuff. You can browse our Winter Catalog by clicking here, we featured a good selection of our cold season seeds.. Or you can use our brand new organic seed browser here, at PeacefulValleyOrganicSeeds.com.

While you’re at it, you might want to check out our huge selection of organic vegetable starts, available online.We will have a huge selection of certified-organic, locally-grown, vibrant and unique seedling varieties on April 15th… we’re shipping them out starting April 15th and they go fast, so pre-order now! If you live near us, come on by!

UC Davis supplies California with invaluable information regarding last frost dates, planting schedules and so much more. A great place to start is their home page.

They offer a good overarching guide to California Frost Dates, and they also provide a great spring planting schedule, plus a seed starting schedule.

We heard that Michelle Obama wanted to plant an organic garden on the White House grounds. We decided she needed some of our catalogs to find the best organic seeds and supplies available!

Hello Gianni,

We are very excited that you are growing an organic garden at your school! We love to see children your age who are interested in organics and will build towards a healthier and more environmentally friendly future. Enclosed is a copy of our catalog, so you can look through our plants and seeds. I have also included a couple of bumper stickers with the Peaceful Valley Logo so you can have your parents put one on their car. This way you will be able to show the world your commitment to organics. I also enclosed some organic seed packs to help you continue to make your garden grow.

As for your fantastic question, the speed of which plants grow depends on the kind of plant. Some plants grow very fast (in a couple of weeks) some take more time and can take years to become an adult. I imagine this is very much like the kids in your class, Some of you are tall, some are not as tall, even though you are all the same age. It seems Mother Nature knows best when it comes to how fast her children grow!

I hope Nellie and Chowder are healthy and strong, and we here at Peaceful Valley have very much enjoyed your letter. Enjoy the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, I am sure the gardeners there will be able to answer all of your wonderful questions.

Be well, and thank you for growing Organically!

Andrew Grayson Bergthold,

Order Department Manager